Biopsy probe mechanism having multiple echogenic features

ABSTRACT

A biopsy probe mechanism and method includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. The elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis. A first echogenic feature and a third echogenic feature are established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature and a fourth echogenic feature are established on the cutting cannula. The elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula have a first position in which the first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature, and in which the third echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS IN PATENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a medical device, and, moreparticularly, to a biopsy probe mechanism having multiple echogenicfeatures.

2. Description of the Related Art

A biopsy may be performed on a patient to help in determining whetherthe cells in a tissue lesion to be biopsied are cancerous. A typicalbiopsy apparatus includes a hand-held driver assembly having one or moredrivers that drivably engage driven components of a disposable biopsyprobe mechanism configured for releasable attachment to the driverassembly. The biopsy probe mechanism typically includes a biopsycannula, e.g., a needle, having a sample port for receiving the tissueto be sampled, and a cutting cannula for severing tissue received in thesample port.

In the prior art, it is known to provide a surgical instrument, such asa needle, with a roughened surface portion for use with an ultrasoundimagining system to provide real-time monitoring of the location of aspecific portion of the needle during insertion and guidance inside thepatient's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a biopsy probe mechanism having aplurality of echogenic features to enhance visualization of the relativemovement of biopsy probe components when using ultrasound imaging.

The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to a biopsy probemechanism. The biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate samplereceiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a samplereceiving notch. A cutting cannula is arranged coaxially with the samplereceiving member. The elongate sample receiving member and the cuttingcannula are movable relative to one another along the longitudinal axisbetween a first relative position and a second relative position. Aplurality of echogenic features includes a first echogenic feature and asecond echogenic feature. The first echogenic feature is established onthe elongate sample receiving member and the second echogenic feature isestablished on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is inlongitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when theelongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in thefirst relative position. The first echogenic feature is out oflongitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when theelongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in thesecond relative position.

The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a biopsy probemechanism for use in ultrasonic imaging. The biopsy probe mechanismincludes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axisand having a sample receiving notch. A cutting cannula is arrangedcoaxially with the sample receiving member. The elongate samplereceiving member and the cutting cannula are movable relative to oneanother along the longitudinal axis between a first relative position,wherein the sample receiving notch is closed by the cutting cannula, anda second relative position wherein the sample receiving notch is open. Aplurality of echogenic features includes a first set of longitudinallyspaced echogenic features established on the sample receiving member,with the sample receiving notch being located between two longitudinallyspaced echogenic features of the first set of echogenic features.

The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to a biopsyapparatus for use in conjunction with an ultrasound device. The biopsydevice includes a driver assembly and a biopsy probe mechanism coupledto the driver assembly. The driver assembly is configured to provideoperative control over the biopsy probe mechanism. The biopsy probemechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having alongitudinal axis and a cutting cannula arranged coaxially with thesample receiving member. The elongate sample receiving member has afirst echogenic feature. The cutting cannula has a second echogenicfeature. The elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannulaare movable relative to one another by operation of the driver assemblybetween a first relative position and a second relative position. Thefirst echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the secondechogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and thecutting cannula are in the first relative position to facilitatecreation of a single composite echogenic reflection with respect to thefirst echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature. The firstechogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the secondechogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and thecutting cannula are in the second relative position to facilitatecreation of individual echogenic reflections with respect to the firstechogenic feature and the second echogenic feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the biopsy apparatus of having a biopsy probemechanism mounted to a biopsy driver assembly, and with a side portionbroken away on the biopsy driver assembly to expose internal componentswhich are schematically represented in part;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a portion of the biopsy probe of the biopsyapparatus of FIG. 1, with the sample receiving notch open, and having aplurality of echogenic features;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the portion of the biopsy probe of FIG.2A;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the biopsy probe of the biopsyapparatus of FIG. 1, with the sample receiving notch closed;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the biopsy apparatusof FIG. 1 in a biopsy procedure using ultrasound imaging;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of an initial stage of the openingof the sample receiving notch visualized by observation of the positionsof the echogenic features using ultrasound imaging;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an intermediate stage of theopening of the sample receiving notch visualized by observation of thepositions of the echogenic features using ultrasound imaging; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a final stage of the opening ofthe sample receiving notch visualized by observation of the positions ofthe echogenic features using ultrasound imaging.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a biopsy apparatus 10 configured in accordance with an embodimentof the invention

Referring to FIG. 1, biopsy apparatus 10 includes a driver assembly 12and a biopsy probe mechanism 14. Driver assembly 12 is configured toprovide operative control over biopsy probe mechanism 14. Driverassembly 12 includes a housing 16 configured, e.g., ergonomicallydesigned, to be grasped by a user, e.g., a physician. Housing 16 definesa compartment 18 into which biopsy probe mechanism 14 is at leastpartially positioned when biopsy probe mechanism 14 is attached todriver assembly 12, with biopsy probe mechanism 14 being drivablycoupled to driver assembly 12.

Driver assembly 12 further includes a user interface 20 located to beexternally accessible to the user with respect to housing 16 forreceiving operation commands from the user, e.g., through one or morepushbuttons, and may also include a display, e.g., one or more lights oran LCD (liquid crystal display), to display information to the user. Acontroller 22 is communicatively coupled user interface 20 via acommunication link 24, such as for example, wire cabling, printedcircuits, etc. Controller 22 may include, for example, a microprocessorand associated memory (not shown) for executing program instructions toperform functions associated with the harvesting of biopsy tissuesamples during a biopsy procedure.

There is contained within housing 16 an electromechanical drive 26 and apressure source 28. Electromechanical drive 26 is connected inelectrical communication with controller 22 via a communication link 30,such as for example, wire cabling, printed circuits, etc.Electromechanical drive 26 is further drivably coupled (illustrated bydashed lines) to the biopsy probe mechanism 14 and to the pressuresource 28 to selectively and operatively control biopsy probe mechanism14 and pressure source 28. Electromechanical drive 26 may include, forexample, one or more of a linear drive that converts rotational motionto linear motion (e.g., a worm gear arrangement, rack and pinionarrangement, solenoid-slide arrangement, etc.) and a rotational drivethat may include one or more of a gear, gear train, belt/pulleyarrangement, etc., for effecting operation of biopsy probe mechanism 14and/or pressure source 28.

Pressure source 28 may be, for example, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragmpump, syringe-type pump, etc. Pressure source 28 may be permanentlyintegrated into driver assembly 12, or alternatively may be permanentlyintegrated as a part of the biopsy probe mechanism 14. In either case,pressure source 28 is coupled in fluid communication with biopsy probemechanism 14, e.g., via conduit 32, and is configured to generatenegative pressure (vacuum), and in some embodiments may also generatepositive pressure.

Biopsy probe mechanism 14 is generally intended to be disposable as aunit and intended for use on a single patient. Biopsy probe mechanism 14includes a frame 34 to which is attached a biopsy probe 36. Biopsy probe36 includes an elongate sample receiving member 38 and a cutting cannula40. Sample receiving member 38 and a cutting cannula 40 are mounted as acoaxial unit to frame 34. In the present embodiment, for example, samplereceiving member 38 is fixedly mounted to frame 34, with cutting cannula40 and sample receiving member 38 being movably coupled together, andthus cutting cannula 40 is movably mounted to frame 34.

Each of sample receiving member 38 and cutting cannula 40 may be made,for example, from a metal, such as stainless steel, titanium, or anickel alloy. Frame 34 may be made, for example, from plastic.

Sample receiving member 38 and a cutting cannula 40 are arrangedcoaxially with respect to a longitudinal axis 42, and are movablerelative to one another along longitudinal axis 42. In the presentembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, cutting cannula 40 isformed as a cylindrical tube having a lumen 44 and a distal cutting edge46. Sample receiving member 38 is positioned in lumen 44 of cuttingcannula 40, such that sample receiving member 38 slides longitudinallywithin cutting cannula 40.

In the present embodiment, sample receiving member 38 may be formed, forexample, as an elongate cylindrical tube having a proximal end 48, adistal end 50, a sample receiving notch 52, and a lumen 54 (shown bydashed lines). In the present embodiment, a piercing tip 56 is locatedat distal end 50. Longitudinal axis 42 extends through proximal end 48and distal end 50 in a central portion of lumen 54.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that as an alternative to theconfiguration of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 having samplereceiving member 38 slidably positioned within the lumen of cuttingcannula 40, alternatively, cutting cannula 40 may be sized to beslidably positioned within the tube of sample receiving member 38.

Sample receiving notch 52 is formed in sample receiving member 38, suchas for example, by machining a portion of a side wall 58 (see FIG. 2B)of sample receiving member 38 such that sample receiving notch 52extends into an interior 60 of sample receiving member 38. Samplereceiving notch 52 is located proximal to the distal end 50 of samplereceiving member 38. Sample receiving notch 52 is configured to receivethe tissue to be biopsied, and to collect the tissue sample harvestedfrom the tissue, during a biopsy procedure. Sample receiving notch 52also may be sometimes referred to as a sample chamber. Sample receivingnotch 52 in sample receiving member 38 is coupled in fluid communicationwith pressure source 28 via conduit 32. It is to be understood, however,that some designs of biopsy apparatus 10 may not utilize a pressuresource.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, sample receiving member 38 andcutting cannula 40 are movable relative to one another alonglongitudinal axis 42 between a first relative position 62 (FIG. 3)wherein sample receiving notch 52 is closed by cutting cannula and asecond relative position 64 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) wherein sample receivingnotch 52 is open. The term “closed” means that a pathway does not existfrom a region outside biopsy probe 36 to the interior 60 of samplereceiving member 38 via sample receiving notch 52. The term “open” meansan unobstructed pathway exists from a region outside biopsy probe 36 tothe interior 60 of sample receiving member 38 via sample receiving notch52.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, biopsy probe 36 of biopsy probemechanism 14 includes a plurality of echogenic features 66. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the plurality of echogenic features 66includes a first set of echogenic features 68 that includes twoindividual echogenic features 70, 72 and a second set of echogenicfeatures 74 that includes two individual echogenic features 76, 78.

In the present exemplary embodiment, each echogenic feature 70, 72, 76,78 of the plurality of echogenic features 66 is representative of atleast one circumferential band, i.e., one circumferential band, oralternatively multiple circumferential bands closely spaced, that formsa single echogenic reflection during ultrasonic imaging. It iscontemplated that the circumferential echogenic band may extendpartially, or completely, around the circumference of the respectiveobject. Also, each circumferential echogenic band may becircumferentially continuous, circumferentially segmented, or ofirregular shape. Each echogenic feature 70, 72, 76, 78 may be formed,for example, as at least one of a roughened surface, an embeddedmaterial, a machined pattern and a particulate coating, for providing adistinct contrasting echogenic reflection from that of the surroundingareas during ultrasound imaging.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, the two echogenicfeatures 70, 72 of the first set of echogenic features 68 arelongitudinally spaced by a distance D1 and established on samplereceiving member 38. Sample receiving notch 52 is located between thetwo longitudinally spaced echogenic features 70, 72. In other words, oneof the echogenic features, e.g., echogenic feature 70, is located distalto sample receiving notch 52 and the other of the echogenic features,e.g., echogenic feature 72, is located proximal to sample receivingnotch 52.

The echogenic features 76, 78 of the second set of echogenic features 74are longitudinally spaced by a distance D2 and established on cuttingcannula 40. In the present embodiment, the spacing distance D1 of thetwo longitudinally spaced echogenic features 70, 72 of the first set ofechogenic features 68 is the same as the spacing distance D2 of the twolongitudinally spaced echogenic features 76, 78 of the second set ofechogenic features 74.

Thus, when elongate sample receiving member 38 and cutting cannula 40are in the relative position 64, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, thefirst set of echogenic features 68 is out of longitudinal alignment withthe second set of echogenic features 74, such that both of the first setof echogenic features 68 and the second set of echogenic features 74 isultrasonically visible, i.e., the four echogenic features 70, 72, 76, 78create four corresponding echogenic reflections that are ultrasonicallyvisible.

Conversely, when elongate sample receiving member 38 and cutting cannula40 are in the relative position 62, as depicted in FIG. 3, the first setof echogenic features 68 is in longitudinal alignment with the secondset of echogenic features 74 such that only one set of echogenicfeatures (i.e., two echogenic reflections) is ultrasonically visible,i.e., two echogenic bands are ultrasonically visible. Thus, when biopsyprobe 36 is positioned in the tissue of a patient, the physician viewingthe ultrasound image can easily discern whether sample receiving notch52 of sample receiving member 38 is positioned adjacent a lesion ofinterest, and whether sample receiving notch 52 is open or closed,regardless of whether or not sample receiving notch 52 has been extendeddistally beyond distal cutting edge 46 of cutting cannula 40.

Described in another way, when elongate sample receiving member 38 andcutting cannula 40 are in the relative position 64, as depicted in FIGS.2A and 2B, echogenic feature 70 of sample receiving member 38 is out oflongitudinal alignment with echogenic feature 76 of cutting cannula 40,and echogenic feature 72 of sample receiving member 38 is out oflongitudinal alignment with echogenic feature 78 of cutting cannula 40,and thus four echogenic reflections, e.g., bands, are ultrasonicallyvisible.

Conversely, when elongate sample receiving member 38 and cutting cannula40 are in the relative position 62, as depicted in FIG. 3, echogenicfeature 70 of sample receiving member 38 is in longitudinal alignmentwith echogenic feature 76 of cutting cannula 40, and echogenic feature72 of sample receiving member 38 is in longitudinal alignment withechogenic feature 78 of cutting cannula 40, and thus two echogenicreflections are ultrasonically visible. Note that although in FIG. 3echogenic features 70, 72 are covered over by cutting cannula 40,echogenic features 70, 72 are still ultrasonically visible throughcutting cannula 40, and thus the relative positioning of samplereceiving member 38 and cutting cannula 40 in first relative position 62(FIG. 3) is confirmed since only two echogenic bands are ultrasonicallyvisible due to echogenic feature alignment.

Thus, one useful aspect of the configuration described above is thatwith respect to sample receiving member 38 the echogenic features 70, 72delineate the extent of sample receiving notch 52, and thus thephysician will know through the ultrasonic image the precise location ofthe portion of the sample receiving member 38 that corresponds to samplereceiving notch 52, regardless of whether sample receiving notch 52 isopen or closed.

Another useful aspect is that of confirmation of the relative positionsof sample receiving member 38 and cutting cannula 40 of biopsy probe 36during opening or closing of sample receiving notch 52, such as in theevent of interference. For example, since the echogenic features 70, 72of sample receiving member 38 are ultrasonically visible even whencovered by cutting cannula 40, it is possible to track the progressionof the opening and closing of sample receiving notch 52 of samplereceiving member 38, as further described below.

With reference also the FIGS. 4-7, for example, assume sample receivingnotch 52 is closed (the relative position shown in FIG. 3) and biopsyprobe 36 is inserted, either manually or by a piercing shot, into thetissue TS of a patient for purposes of obtaining a biopsy, and thepositioning of biopsy probe 36 is being observed using an ultrasounddevice 80. In preparation for insertion of biopsy probe 36 of biopsyprobe mechanism 14 into a patient, for example, cutting cannula 40 wascontrolled by controller 22 and electromechanical drive 26 to translatelinearly along longitudinal axis 42 to cover sample receiving notch 52(shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1) of sample receiving member 38. Inoperation, a user may use piercing tip 56 of biopsy probe 36 toestablish an access pathway through tissue TS to a biopsy site, eitherby manual insertion or by a piercing shot.

Initially, as diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 4, the physician willobserve two echogenic reflections, e.g., bands, as a single compositeechogenic reflection 70, 76 associated with echogenic feature 70 andechogenic feature 76, and as a second single composite echogenicreflection 72, 78 associated with echogenic feature 72 and echogenicfeature 78, due to echogenic feature alignment at the relative position62 shown in FIG. 3. The two composite echogenic reflections 70, 76 and72, 78 may be used to precisely locate sample receiving notch 52relative to the location of the lesion LS of interest.

Thereafter, cutting cannula 40 is then controlled by controller 22 andelectromechanical drive 26 to translate linearly along longitudinal axis42 to expose sample receiving notch 52. As diagrammatically depicted inFIG. 5, during the opening of sample receiving notch 52, e.g., byretraction of cutting cannula 40 with respect to sample receiving member38, the physician will observe four echogenic reflections, e.g., bands,corresponding to echogenic features 70, 72, 76, 78. As illustrated inFIG. 5, echogenic feature 76 of cutting cannula 40 is proximal toechogenic feature 70 of sample receiving notch 52 and the distance D3between echogenic feature 76 of cutting cannula 40 and echogenic feature72 of sample receiving member 38 decreases until three echogenicreflections are observed as illustrated in FIG. 6. The three echogenicreflections are observed when echogenic feature 76 of cutting cannula 40is in longitudinal alignment with echogenic feature 72 of samplereceiving member 38 to generate a composite echogenic reflection 72, 76,and with individual echogenic features 70 and 78 also beingultrasonically visible.

Immediately thereafter, with further relative movement of cuttingcannula 40 with respect to sample receiving member 38, four echogenicreflections are again observed with echogenic feature 76 of cuttingcannula 40 now being proximal to echogenic feature 72 of samplereceiving member 38, and with the distance D4 between echogenic feature72 of sample receiving member 38 and echogenic feature 76 of cuttingcannula 40 increasing until sample receiving notch 52 is open and therelative position 64 is reached, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Thereafter, controller 22 initiates pressure source 28 to establish avacuum in sample receiving notch 52, thereby drawing all or a potion oflesion LS into sample receiving notch 52. Cutting cannula 40 is thencontrolled by controller 22 and electromechanical drive 26 to translatelinearly along longitudinal axis 42 to close, e.g., cover, samplereceiving notch 52 and sever the tissue in sample receiving notch 52,until relative position 62 of sample receiving member 38 and cuttingcannula 40 is achieved, as depicted in FIG. 3. Also, cutting cannula 40may be controlled to rotate or oscillate with, or independent from, anylinear advancement of cutting cannula 40. During the cutting process,i.e., during the closure of sample receiving notch 52, the positions ofechogenic features 70, 72, 76 and 78 will be the reverse of theultrasonic observations described above with respect to the opening ofsample receiving notch 52.

The tissue sample having been collected, biopsy probe 36 may bewithdrawn from the patient.

While this invention has been described with respect to an embodiment,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. For example, in some applications it may bedesirable to have a single echogenic feature on each of the samplereceiving member and the cutting cannula. Also, for example, in someapplications it may be desirable to have more that two echogenicfeatures on each of the sample receiving member and the cutting cannula.This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, oradaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, thisapplication is intended to cover such departures from the presentdisclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art towhich this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of theappended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of operating a biopsy probe mechanism,comprising: providing an elongate sample receiving member having aproximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and having a samplereceiving notch, the sample receiving notch being located proximal tothe distal end; providing a cutting cannula arranged coaxially with theelongate sample receiving member, the elongate sample receiving memberand the cutting cannula being movable relative to one another along thelongitudinal axis; establishing a first echogenic feature on theelongate sample receiving member; establishing a second echogenicfeature on the cutting cannula, the elongate sample receiving member andthe cutting cannula having a first position in which the first echogenicfeature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature,and wherein the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic featureare out of longitudinal alignment when the elongate sample receivingmember and the cutting cannula are moved relative to one another fromthe first position; establishing a third echogenic feature on theelongate sample receiving member, with one of the first echogenicfeature and the third echogenic feature being located distal to thesample receiving notch and the other of the first echogenic feature andthe third echogenic feature being located proximal to the samplereceiving notch; and establishing a fourth echogenic feature on thecutting cannula at a location spaced apart from the second echogenicfeature, the third echogenic feature being in longitudinal alignmentwith the fourth echogenic feature when the elongate sample receivingmember and the cutting cannula are in the first position, and whereinthe third echogenic feature and the fourth echogenic feature are out oflongitudinal alignment when the elongate sample receiving member and thecutting cannula are moved relative to one another from the firstposition.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sample receiving notchin the elongate sample receiving member is closed by the cutting cannulawhen the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature are inlongitudinal alignment, and wherein when the sample receiving notch isopened the first echogenic feature and the second echogenic feature areout of longitudinal alignment.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein eachechogenic feature includes at least one circumferential echogenic band.24. The method of claim 21, wherein each echogenic feature has at leastone of a roughened surface, an embedded material, a machined pattern,and a particulate coating for providing a distinct echogenic reflectionfrom surrounding areas during ultrasound imaging.
 25. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the elongate sample receiving member and the cuttingcannula are incorporated into a disposable device.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, comprising integrating the biopsy probe mechanism into abiopsy apparatus having a driver for driving the biopsy probe mechanism.27. A method of providing a biopsy apparatus for use in conjunction withan ultrasound device, comprising: providing a driver assembly; andproviding a biopsy probe mechanism coupled to the driver assembly, thedriver assembly providing operative control over the biopsy probemechanism, the biopsy probe mechanism including: an elongate samplereceiving member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a samplereceiving notch located proximal to the distal end, the elongate samplereceiving member having a longitudinal axis and a cutting cannulaarranged coaxially with the elongate sample receiving member, andincluding a first echogenic feature established on the elongate samplereceiving member and a second echogenic feature established on thecutting cannula, and the elongate sample receiving member and thecutting cannula having a first position in which the first echogenicfeature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic featureto facilitate creation of a single echogenic reflection, and when theelongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are movedrelative to one another from the first position, the first echogenicfeature and the second echogenic feature are out of longitudinalalignment to facilitate creation of separate individual echogenicreflections with respect to the first echogenic feature and the secondechogenic feature, the elongate sample receiving member having a thirdechogenic feature, with one of the first echogenic feature and the thirdechogenic feature being located distal to the sample receiving notch andthe other of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic featurebeing located proximal to the sample receiving notch, and wherein thecutting cannula has a fourth echogenic feature spaced apart from thesecond echogenic feature, such that when the elongate sample receivingmember and the cutting cannula are in the first position, the thirdechogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenicfeature to facilitate creation of a single echogenic reflection, andwhen the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula arenot in the first position, the third echogenic feature is out oflongitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature to facilitatecreation of separate individual echogenic reflections with respect tothe third echogenic feature and the fourth echogenic feature.
 28. Thebiopsy apparatus of claim 27, wherein each echogenic feature includes atleast one circumferential echogenic band.
 29. The biopsy apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein each echogenic feature is formed as at least one of aroughened surface, an embedded material, a machined pattern and aparticulate coating for providing a distinct echogenic reflection fromsurrounding areas during ultrasound imaging.
 30. The biopsy apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the elongate sample receiving member has a samplereceiving notch that is closed by the cutting cannula when in the firstposition.
 31. A method of providing a biopsy probe mechanism,comprising: providing an elongate sample receiving member having aproximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and having a samplereceiving notch, the sample receiving notch being located proximal tothe distal end; coaxially arranging a cutting cannula with the elongatesample receiving member, the elongate sample receiving member and thecutting cannula being movable relative to one another along thelongitudinal axis; establishing a first echogenic feature on theelongate sample receiving member; establishing a second echogenicfeature on the cutting cannula; establishing a third echogenic featureon the elongate sample receiving member spaced apart from the firstechogenic feature, with one of the first echogenic feature and the thirdechogenic feature being located distal to the sample receiving notch andthe other of the first echogenic feature and the third echogenic featurebeing located proximal to the sample receiving notch; establishing afourth echogenic feature on the cutting cannula at a location spacedapart from the second echogenic feature; and defining a first positionof the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula in whichthe first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the secondechogenic feature, and in which the third echogenic feature is inlongitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature, and when theelongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are movedrelative to one another from the first position, the first echogenicfeature and the second echogenic feature are out of longitudinalalignment, and the third echogenic feature and the fourth echogenicfeature are out of longitudinal alignment.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein the sample receiving notch in the elongate sample receivingmember is closed by the cutting cannula when the first echogenic featureand the second echogenic feature are in longitudinal alignment, andwherein when the sample receiving notch is opened the first echogenicfeature and the second echogenic feature are out of longitudinalalignment.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein each echogenic featureincludes at least one circumferential echogenic band.
 34. The method ofclaim 31, wherein each echogenic feature has at least one of a roughenedsurface, an embedded material, a machined pattern, and a particulatecoating for providing a distinct echogenic reflection from surroundingareas during ultrasound imaging.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein theelongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula areincorporated into a disposable device.
 36. The method of claim 31,comprising integrating the biopsy probe mechanism into a biopsyapparatus having a driver for driving the biopsy probe mechanism.